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Introducing Business Direction Online, your one stop shop for all local and industry news.
Business Direction Online is updated daily, bringing you news from across Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Explore our Members exciting and important updates and keep up to date with any Chamber news.
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Toe-tapping fun at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is preparing for a dance take over on Saturday 19 July, when traditional dance groups from the Midlands and beyond travel to perform at stations along the line. The Day of Dance is now an established annual event at the popular heritage line,...
Latest Article
Toe-tapping fun at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is preparing for a dance take over on Saturday 19 July, when traditional dance groups from the Midlands and beyond travel to perform at stations along the line. The Day of Dance is now an established annual event at the popular heritage line,...
Member News
NMITE in partnership agreement with BAE Systems
NMITE and BAE Systems Digital Intelligence to share skills, knowledge and talent NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence division, signalling a commitment to work...
Tickets for ‘Flying Scotsman’ at the Severn Valley Railway sell out in three minutes
The Severn Valley Railway was expecting demand to be high for tickets to travel behind ‘Flying Scotsman’ when it visits the line next month, but so strong was the demand to travel behind the iconic locomotive that all the seats were snapped up within three minutes of...
Patron & Strategic News
He’s the pinnacle of all that is evil, so why do people seem to like the Devil?
That’s the question being asked in a public talk by a University of Worcester expert in a talk at Script Haven bookshop this week. Professor Darren Oldridge is a specialist in sixteenth and seventeenth-century religious history and has recently given several popular...
University Expert to Give Poetry Masterclass
If you’ve ever held a dream of being the next Wordsworth, a special workshop with a University of Worcester academic might help you to get there. Course Leader for Creative Writing, Dr Jack McGowan, will be running a poetry workshop to give people advice and support....
Chamber News
Chairs Report September 2024
I watched, with great interest, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, on the BBC News this morning (19th September), stating the government’s determination to stamp out late payments: especially for small businesses. Taking points from the...
LSIP Event
Business leaders and education providers in the Midlands have urged the new Government to ‘stick to the plan’ when it comes to closing the skills gap and helping businesses to develop the labour force they need. The plea came at an event celebrating the progress made...
Our Latest Member
New Member: Energy Audits UK joins Chamber of Commerce
There’s no doubt that business owners and SMEs want to reduce their carbon emissions, but knowing where to start, or what your obligations actually are can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, two Worcestershire business owners have joined forces to help businesses meet...

New Member: Energy Audits UK joins Chamber of Commerce
There’s no doubt that business owners and SMEs want to reduce their carbon emissions, but knowing where to start, or what your obligations actually are can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, two Worcestershire business owners have joined forces to help businesses meet...
Policy News
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Downgraded as Firms Struggle to Invest and Export
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has revised down growth expectations for 2025, as firms deal with a raft of rising cost pressures. Business investment and exports are likely to suffer this year because of the impact of the...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Releases Business Manifesto for 2025/26
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has launched its Business Manifesto for 2025/26, outlining its key priorities for the year ahead. Based on extensive research, including insights from the Quarterly Economic Survey and direct engagement with...
Skills News
The Chamber to help deliver local skills improvement plan
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber to deliver local skills improvement plan for Worcestershire, and in partnership with Shropshire Chamber, for the Marches. Reacting to the news that Accredited Chambers of Commerce will be leading 32 of the 40 local skills...
BetaDen North Cleantech Programme Extension
Applications are now open for this popular Cleantech Bootcamp opportunity. This is an extension of their current programme that is already supporting six exciting cleantech founders. BetaDen North is looking for up to four more innovators who have a new product or...
Charity News
Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment Join Forces for Charity Run Supporting Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment have successfully completed a challenging 10-mile charity run, from Droitwich to Worcester, raising crucial funds for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust. The collaborative team undertook the demanding run from their...
Dancing for a Cause: SJL Ball Raises Vital Funds for Acorns
The annual SJL Foundation Charity Ball, held at the Bank House Hotel in Bransford, Worcester, was a resounding success, raising an incredible £32,107 on the night. The event brought together over 170 guests from SJL Insurance’s extensive network of staff, clients,...

UK-India Trade Agreement – A Big Deal For Business
Reacting to news of an agreement in principle for a free trade deal between the UK and India, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India is a huge boost to our economies and a welcome lift for our exporters....
BCC News
UK-India Trade Agreement – A Big Deal For Business
Reacting to news of an agreement in principle for a free trade deal between the UK and India, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India is a huge boost to our economies and a welcome lift for our exporters....
Worcestershire News
The SVR’s Autumn Diesel Bash goes down well
The Severn Valley Railway has plenty of reasons to be cheerful, after the smooth running and strong attendance at its Autumn Diesel Bash, which took place between 3 and 6 October. In what was billed as ‘an almighty celebration of heritage diesels’, highlights included...
Half-term Adventure Awaits at the Severn Valley Railway
Families can be sure of a warm welcome and an exciting day out at the Severn Valley Railway during the autumn half-term break. The heritage line is open for nine consecutive days of fun, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November. Hop on board a heritage diesel or...
Herefordshire News
£1million on offer as Marches Energy Grant is Extended to Meet Demand
More than £1million is available to businesses across the Marches to improve energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions thanks to the extension of a hugely successful funding programme. The Marches Energy Grant, in affiliation with the pilot Business Energy...
Why International Women’s Day is Inspiring Inclusion Across Herefordshire
L-R: Sharon Smith (Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce), Chamber member Charlotte Webb (Castle Green Financial Planning, Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management) and Julz Watson (Herefordshire Police) support the theme of...
All Latest News
Wyevale Nurseries launches new Bareroot Hedging and Forestry Catalogue
WYEVALE Nurseries has launched a new Bareroot Hedging and Forestry Catalogue this month featuring details of the varieties it grows and the benefits of using each one (May 2025). The leading commercial nursery hopes industry members will use the free, handy guide,...
Skills Minister Supports VC Raising Funds for Student Scholarships and Hardship Funds
Support and donations for the University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor continue to pour in, as he reaches the halfway mark on his challenge to raise money for student scholarship and hardship funds. Professor David Green CBE DL is walking 280km along the coastal path...
Funding and Intellectual Property
The link between funding and intellectual property rights is often underestimated, and having a patent can do more for you than just keep your competitors at bay. R&D Tax Credits R&D tax credits are a government incentive designed to reward companies for...
Why don’t UK innovators file enough patents?
Many SMEs understand the value of patents, and routinely file patent applications to protect their innovation. However, UK innovators are lagging behind those in many other countries when it comes to patent ownership. Japan is, unsurprisingly, one of the leading...
Worcester Lecturer Invited to Chelsea FC After Inspiring Presentation
A lecturer at the University of Worcester spent a weekend at Chelsea FC after being nominated for a mentoring experience by a school pupil. Jessica Fassnidge, lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science, had given a presentation at a Worcester high school and later found...
Father’s Day at Cote
Give him a gift he’ll really love this year This Father’s Day, treat him to something he really wants – quality time, great food, and something good in his glass. Speaking of drinks, we’re giving all dads a complimentary cocktail or beer on the special day. Come in...
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